Baciami!

I think I want to bring more of Europe into my life. I’m thinking of one thing specifically: I want to see more people kissing cheeks when they meet and depart. I remember being in Europe and always seeing people kissing cheeks. This wasn’t just friends meeting old friends, but also relatives or friends who saw each other every day.

I see examples of this all the time at the Italian restaurant I work at. The mom is from Poland and the dad is from Italy. They have one son who is 14. A lot of times, the three of them will all be in the restaurant and then the son will leave for a practice or to do homework or whatever, and every time he leaves, he kisses his mom on the cheek on his way out. A lot of others do the same thing. When our regulars come in, they are often greeted with a few kisses from the servers they know. And yes, I think it's cool.

I guess it has been the neighbors across the hall that recently got me thinking about this. Remember how a few entries ago, I told you about the dinner Joy and I had with them last Saturday night. Well, after dinner we chatted for a long time, and then it was time for the kids to get to bed. Again, kisses around. Little Armando kissed his dad goodnight and sweet Vanessa kissed both Joy and me goodnight too. I was thrilled beyond description. It was at that moment I realized I wanted my kids to kiss me on the cheek when they scurried off to bed.

I was recently tested on this whole thing on December 30. When Taylor and I sat next to each other at Laura and Ben Harrison’s wedding, we watched the happy couple come back to dismiss their guests and decided we wanted to kiss Laura’s cheek. Taylor and I both said we would do it, but you gotta admit, there’s a sense of fear when you think about kissing another man’s bride a few minutes after they're married. Well, I’m sure Laura doesn’t even remember, but I did the cheek kiss on her wedding day. A little timed, yes, but most definitely there. (For the record, Taylor, even though he followed me out the aisle, wussed out.)

Watch out for next time you see me, especially you women. Because hopefully, I’ll be bringing a little bit of Europe directly to your cheek.

(I highly recommend the enlightening and intriguing Blistex guide to European kissing. Gotta love those French, where "kissing is a way of life." I suppose you don't become the country d'amour for nothing.)